Hands-On The Richard Mille RM 07-01 In Gem-Set Black Ceramic

I am going to preface this article by saying that this watch is not a conservative watch. Nor is it an inexpensive watch. So, naturally, I am going to write about it (I just can't help myself). Here we have one of two new releases from Richard Mille this year, the other being the RM53-01 Pablo Mac Donough. This watch has the same profile as other versions of the RM 07-01, but there is a crucial difference: a black ceramic case with never-before-seen gem-setting that places a frame of diamonds around the dial.

The RM07-01 with diamond-set ceramic case.

The RM 07-01 features the standard tonneau-form case that we know and (some of us) love. I for one am a big fan of the RM ladies' watches, as I think they are sporty, cool, and chic (stay tuned for more on this later). The case measures 45.66mm x 31.04mm x 11.85mm and is made of red gold around the band and TZP black ceramic for the top and bottom bezels. The case itself is finished by hand and is smooth like butter, with a very fine grain to the ceramic. The movement is the automatic caliber CRMA2 made of grade 5 titanium, and it is fully visible through the back and partially through the front. The dial itself is made of Onyx and red gold, and it's set with diamonds. Even the crown has gotten in on the fun, being set with a rather large diamond itself.

The watch is powered by the automatic caliber CRMA2.

But the coolest thing about this watch is the fact that the black ceramic case is set with a row of diamonds in the outer bezel. This is something that has never been done before and is incredibly difficult to do because ceramic is so brittle. Sure, there are ceramic watches with diamonds, but generally speaking they are set into metal bezels, not ceramic ones. And while I don't always condone diamonds (though a lot of times, I do), this is an instance where I think they count. To achieve this setting, Richard Mille placed the .25mm-diameter diamonds into red gold prongs, and the stones are then set into the ceramic case where a row had been drilled out along the bezel.

Each stone measures .25mm and is set into a prong before being set into the ceramic case.

A detail of the diamond-set crown.

On the wrist, the RM07-01 is very comfortable (and looked good with my outfit to boot).

On the wrist, I really enjoyed this watch. It was not only comfortable but also easy to wear. Sure, it was a little blingy, but did a little bling ever hurt anyone? I don't think so. No price has been announced for this watch, but we're told it will likely fall somewhere around the $170,000 mark.